Georgian treasure to be turned into offices despite heritage plea

ONE of Beverley's finest buildings looks set to be turned into offices –despite pleas from campaigners to look "at the bigger picture."

Grade One listed Norwood House was sold to developers last year, despite a long campaign by residents for a national museum and community venue.

The former school has been described as one of the best Georgian buildings in the country, with the closest equivalent being Fairfax House in York.

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In January councillors rejected a planning application by developer Brantingham Group, which would have meant sacrificing most of the garden for a car park.

But planners are recommending approval of a new application, with seven self-contained office suites, a new car-parking layout and simplified landscaping, at a meeting next Monday.

The developers say it will bring about a programme of "immediate much-needed restoration" and the plans will maintain an open rear facade to its main three-storey facade.

However trustees of Norwood House Beverley Ltd, which backed a bid by the Buildings at Risk Trust to restore the building as a heritage and tourism venue, are urging councillors to reconsider.

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Chairman Richard Fatkin said both BART and the Embroiderers Guild, which was also going to be involved, were still interested in the building.

He said: "BART is a charity but has access to various sources of funding and in the last 30 years they have delivered over 100 successful restorations mostly on behalf of local authorities.

"The loss of Norwood House cannot be underestimated. It was originally a town estate and of its kind it is certainly unique in the north of England.

"What a fantastic attraction it would have been – the Emboiderers Guild was prepared to move its collection of historic tapestries from Hampton Court to Beverley and yet no-one saw this as the best way to secure the building's future."

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Trustee Shan Oakes, who used to teach at the school, said the council should acknowledge it had made the wrong decision.

"They were so busy thinking they were trying to save tuppence that they got rid of the investment that could have bought in regular income for Beverley and the surrounding area."

Conservationists remain split over the plans with Beverley and District Civic Society claiming the proposals could cause "substantial and irreversible damage to the fabric and character of the building and its immediate landscape environment."

The Georgian Group welcomed efforts made to address their concerns, but insist the level of car parking "is still destructive of Norwood's special character."

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They say: "We are still talking about 25 spaces, a parking court and a driveway bisecting the garden parallel to the house."

But English Heritage is backing the proposal which will bring the building, which has been empty for years, back into use. It has been damaged by a fire and wet and dry rot.

Planners say none of the consultees have objected to the sub-division of the building, but say more information is needed.

The decision to sell Norwood House was taken last March by the council's cabinet. The council said it had held back for seven years to allow alternative plans to come to fruition – but there had only been limited progress.

If councillors agree, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State.